to rebuild Somerset Bridge.

Walter Roberts, who retires at the General Election, and three other leading PLP politicians defended Works and Engineering Minister Jim Woolridge for his plan to rebuild the landmark as a drawbridge.

Mr. Roberts, Walter Lister, Eugene Cox and Dennis Lister -- all Sandys MPs -- wrote to The Royal Gazette yesterday to criticize an alternative proposal for the bridge outlined by two UBP parliamentary candidates.

Would-be Sandys MPs Ted Gauntlett and Ralph Richardson turned on their own Minsiter's proposal to rebuild the world's smallest drawbridge.

They want a new solid bridge to be built with a replica drawbridge built nearby, to create a safe haven for swimming and fishing.

Their plan would mean Somerset Bridge would never open for boats.

But Works and Engineering officials yesterday revealed that the original project was still set to go ahead.

Work is not expected to start until April but the tendering process will begin once final designs have been approved within the next two weeks.

And the Opposition group claimed the original proposal was "a suitable plan for the needs of the Sandys community and Bermuda in general''.

The joint statement added: "We recognize the swimming and fishing dangers involved with the present bridge but with proper policing and recognizing the traditions involved, we do not believe that the solutions offered by the proposed UBP candidates will be to the best interests of the community and Bermuda.

"It should be emphasized that the bridge would still be the world's smallest drawbridge and that with the wood facings, there would not be to the eye any significant difference from the present bridge. We recognize the history of this bridge and the tremendous attraction that it has become over the years to our tourists. We are in full agreement with the new plans as outlined to us in January.'' The statement added that the four MPs were "satisfied that the character and use of Somerset Bridge would not change''.

It also said they had been "assured that the new bridge would be stronger and more durable'' for heavy traffic.

Mr. Woolridge has been unavailable to comment on the alternative proposal for the bridge.